Prep: 2025 5A/6A Piedmont Triad Conference Football Preview

As the 2025 season dawns, the newly formed Piedmont Triad 5A/6A Conference brings together six familiar foes—and one rising power—across two classifications. 6A stalwarts Mount Tabor and Glenn join forces with 5A contenders Oak Grove, North Davidson, Atkins and North Forsyth, forging fresh rivalries and renewing old ones. Below is a school-by-school breakdown of last year’s performance, roster turnover, impact returnees, newcomers to watch, and our predicted order of finish—capping with Oak Grove atop, followed by Mount Tabor and North Davidson.

Oak Grove Grizzlies

• 2024 Record: 10–2 overall, 5–0 Mid-Piedmont 3A (1st place)
• Key losses: RB Karson Williams (1,500 yds), RT Payton Harrold, DL Kyle Wagner, Jackson Oaks; LB Keenan Larking, DB Jaiden Boler
• Returnees to know:
  • Grayson Treadway, Sr. QB: Competed for reps in ’24; now clear No. 1.
  • Cam Canady, Sr. WR: Returning receiving leader.
  • Daemyn Johnson, Sr. TE: Elite blocker with reliable hands.
  • Blake Stockstill, Sr. OL: All-conference LT.
  • Ben Boulware, Sr. DL: Power-Four offers; trimmed to 285 lbs for speed.
  • Bradley Byrd, Jr. LB: Two-time DPOY, anchors the ‘backer corps.
• New faces: Jr. RT Charlie Reece, freshman up-and-coming RBs (committee approach).
• Outlook: Creason’s Grizzlies—smallest in a split classification but deepest in talent—return their most impactful starters on both lines plus elite specialists, making them clear favorites to defend their league title.

Mount Tabor Spartans

• 2024 Record: 8–3 overall, 6–1 CPC 4A (2nd place)
• Key losses: DB JaDon Blair, WR Shamarius Peterkin (both 4-stars); DE Matthias Banks; QB Lane Albright (Davidson College); OL John Coles
• Returnees to know:
  • Jamarius Hunder, Jr. RB: 362 yds, 6 TDs as underclassman.
  • Leo Phillips, Sr. OL: 6′3″, 285 lbs App State recruit.
  • Jalen Davis, Sr. DB: FBS interest after lockdown season.
  • James Price, Jr. LB/Punter: All-tools performer.
• New faces: Soph. QB Kingston Brown (coach’s son), junior RB Hunder to lead ground game, multiple JV receivers stepping up.
• Outlook: Though Tabor loses its dynamic stars, an 8–3 squad with a physical offensive front and a JV unit that went 8–1 should challenge for the crown—and we tab the Spartans to finish 2nd.

North Davidson Black Knights

• 2024 Record: 4–7 overall, 3–2 Mid-Piedmont 3A (t-2nd place)
• Key losses: Zaylen Hayes (WR), Damani Chhorn (DL), Conor Noel (TE), Hayden Ross (LB), Dru Mabe (RB), Bryce Burkhart (LB)
• Returnees to know:
  • CJ Moran, Jr. QB: Transitions from JV; high IQ, arm strength.
  • Amir Dalton, Sr. RB: Led in ‘24 with 418 yds on 12 carries (34.8 avg).
  • Maurice Mosley, Sr. DT: All-conference anchor.
  • Connor Dunn, Sr. K/P: 51-yd FG, 25-of-26 XP; brother of NCAA record-holder.
  • Ben Leamon, Sr. WR/S: Dual-threat playmaker.
• New faces: TE/OLB Grayson Rush (post-surgery breakout candidate), WR/DB Ahmad Wilkie.
• Outlook: With six offensive and seven defensive starters back—and a promising signal-caller—North Davidson looks primed for 3rd place and a return to respectability.

Atkins Camels

• 2024 Record: 3–7 overall, 3–4 Mid-State 3A (moved to PT 5A/6A for ’25)
• Key losses: DE Garrison Dibble (Navy commit; HSOT All-State), RB Zaire Friend, OLB Sam Phillips (transfer), OLB Ethan Medeiros
• Returnees to know:
  • James Singletary, Sr. QB: 1,235 yds, 9 TD vs. 8 INT; must tighten ball security.
  • Kenneth Best, Jr. WR/DE: 368 yds, 2 TD; team’s top tackler (75) & 2nd in sacks (10).
  • Graysen Barringer, So. DL: 72 tackles as freshman.
• New faces: Soph. RB Sean Hart, LB Anderson Williams (57 tackles, 7 TFL).
• Outlook: Replacing Dibble and Medeiros hurts, but a tough QB-WR duo and emerging DL talent give the Camels a fighting chance in a deeper league.

Glenn Bobcats

• 2024 Record: 3–7 overall
• Key losses: DL Tklyn King, DL Bourhane Hamiduo, playmaker Jzeir Dixon (5 INTs)
• Returnees to know:
  • Brady Robinson, Jr. QB: 1,693 yds, 10 TD.
  • Joel Hayes, Jr. RB/WR: 310 yds, 427 rec yds.
  • Isaiah Buford, Sr. LB: 124 tackles, 3 INTs.
• New faces: Freshmen and sophomores stepping into gaps on both lines; under HC Tommy Green, a rebuild is underway.
• Outlook: With only one top-11 tackler returning defensively, the Bobcats must lean on seasoned veterans up front—projected 5th in the league.

North Forsyth Vikings

• 2024 Record: 5–6 overall, 3–3 Mid-State 2A
• Key losses: QB Jquez Jackson, RB Amare Mitchell (transfer), WRs Domnick Mounce, Varteice Hamilton, multiple DBs
• Returnees to know:
  • Karon Lindsay, Sr. RB: 578 yds, 3 TDs.
  • Eric Archie Jr., Jr. RB: 495 yds, team leader in TDs (5).
  • Jeremiah Ottley, Sr. RB/S: 418 yds (34.8 avg), third-leading tackler.
• New faces: DB Brandon Bell (transfer), evolving backfield rotation, fresh defensive backs.
• Outlook: A solid core in the backfield but porous secondary leave the Vikings battling for 6th in a stingy league.

Predicted Conference Finish

1. Oak Grove (Grizzlies)
2. Mount Tabor (Spartans)
3. North Davidson (Black Knights)
4. Atkins (Camels)
5. Glenn (Bobcats)
6. North Forsyth (Vikings)

With kickoff set for the week of August 22, these six schools will write the next chapter in Piedmont Triad football history—this season, the balance of power shifts as new alignments give rise to fresh contenders. Stay tuned for a fall of fierce clashes under Friday night lights!